Chief of Staff to the CEO

Role Description

We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Chief of Staff to own the strategy for Empyrean Solutions and how it is executed across the organization. Empyrean is in the midst of an ambitious, AI-first transformation—evolving from a founder-led, single-product ALM provider into a multi-product, multi-segment platform business serving community, regional, and large banks. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned leader who will own the AI transformation agenda and drive its execution end to end, partnering directly with the CEO and executive team to set strategic direction and deliver the high-impact initiatives—across new product launches, go-to-market scaling, AI-enabled ways of working, and operating maturity—that underpin Empyrean’s growth trajectory.

The ideal candidate will bring exceptional transformation leadership, a strong execution orientation, the ability to influence without authority, and deep analytical skills to translate strategy into actionable plans. They will own the company’s strategic agenda and the operating discipline behind it—setting priorities, driving the AI transformation, and holding the leadership team accountable for delivery. This role provides an excellent opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and own the execution of strategy across a software business through a period of rapid, AI-enabled change.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Thought Partnership
  • Architect transformational, cross-functional initiatives alongside executive leadership
  • Serve as trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, bridging communication gaps across the executive team and functional leadership
  • Own the AI transformation agenda for the organization end to end—defining the strategy, setting the roadmap, and driving execution and adoption across functions
  • Challenge business leaders to articulate problems clearly and drive accountability
  • Uncover strategic opportunities and provide market intelligence that fuels decision-making
  • Lead discrete, high-priority strategic projects from framing through to execution
  • Translate company strategy and performance into PE stakeholder / board-ready materials
• Program Excellence & Benefits Realization
  • Establish program governance, standards, and dashboards for progress visibility
  • Define success metrics and ensure rigorous benefits realization with Finance partnership
  • Drive project plans that deliver business results, not just completed checklists
  • Develop repeatable playbooks and ensure successful transition to operational teams
• Cross-Functional Transformation
  • Partner with functional leaders to identify and prioritize transformation opportunities
  • Build and lead cross-functional teams breaking down organizational silos
  • Apply consistent methodology ensuring predictable delivery with rapid iteration cycles
  • Lead change management ensuring smooth implementation of strategic initiatives
• Organizational Effectiveness
  • Establish clear strategic priorities and cascade throughout the organization
  • Implement OKR/KPI frameworks and effective meeting cadences at all levels
  • Drive annual strategic planning process and operationalize
  • Own the operating discipline that drives execution—management dashboards, structured business reviews, and a weekly flash on core issues with clear ownership and accountability for results
  • Connect siloed work-streams, identifying efficiencies and synergies

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, MBA or equivalent preferred
• 4-8 years' experience in a top-tier consulting firm
• 1+ years' operating experience; B2B software experience preferred
• Track record of delivering complex, high-impact cross-functional projects
• Experience owning a strategic agenda and metrics-led management
• Strong project and program management capabilities
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and data analysis tools

Skills & Competencies

• Outcome Orientation: Maniacal discipline on setting and managing priorities and results
• Mental Agility: Comfort with complexity and adept at tackling new challenges
• Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead through influence across all organizational levels
• Business Acumen: Depth of understanding to serve as advisor to executive leadership
• Detail-Orientation: Exceptional thoroughness with strong analytical thinking
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to manage multiple stakeholder relationships effectively
• Communication: Executive-level written and verbal communication skills
• AI Fluency: Personal adoption of modern AI tools and a track record of applying them to accelerate analysis, reporting, and program delivery

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial services or financial technology sector
• Knowledge of banking operations, risk management, or compliance
• Experience building, launching, or leading AI-native or agentic products within a software organization
• Prior experience owning transformation or strategy execution in a high-growth software environment